Public Relations Sub-Committee

Pravin Balasingam is a senior at Los Gatos High School. He attended the 2023 SNP-REACH Program in the summer and is currently continuing his neurodiversity advocacy as the head of NNEA's Public Relations Subcommittee. He finds interest in neuroscience and computer science, hoping to pursue neuroscience research. He ultimately hopes to advocate for the rights of special needs individuals who cannot voice themselves. In his free time, Pravin enjoys playing soccer and piano and spending time outdoors.

Jacqueline Chen is a junior in high school from San Francisco, California. As a member of NNEA’s Public Relations subcommittee, she strives to collaborate with her peers by sharing experiences, creating resources, and bringing stories to light. Jacqueline was part of the SNP - REACH Program in the summer of 2025 where she and her teammates founded The Neuro Narrative. She has a deep interest in psychology and storytelling, and she hopes to utilize her skills to help create a more welcoming community for neurodiverse individuals. In her free time, Jacqueline enjoys rollerblading, sewing, and reading.

Jacob is a sophomore at Fairmont Preparatory Academy in Anaheim, California. His passion for neurodiversity grew through volunteering with Peer 1 on 1, where he found a deep sense of fulfillment in supporting neurodiverse youth. At SNP-Reach, he co-founded Accommodate Me!, a resource created to raise awareness about neurodiverse and support neurodiverse students in school. He also currently serves on the public relations subcommittee of the Stanford Neurodiversity Project’s Network. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with friends, taking photos, and playing tennis. He is excited to continue learning more about neurodiversity and discovering new ways to support the community.

Ashley is a junior at Orcutt Academy High School in Orcutt, California! By being a member of NNEA's Public Relations subcommittee, she hopes to provide a platform where the voices of the neurodiversity community can be amplified. She is especially interested in supporting parents of neurodiverse children as a co-founder of Families Inspiring Neurodiverse Development (F.I.N.D.). She also serves as the co-editor of her school's newspaper and writes blogs for an environmental conservation organization. In her free time, Ashley enjoys dancing, writing, reading, and eating scrumptious food!

Joe Leopold is a junior at Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester, Vermont. He became interested in neurodiversity when he started volunteering at the BART Adaptive Center as an adaptive ski instructor, where he learned the importance of inclusion and accessibility. Joe joined NNEA’s PR Committee because he wants to spread awareness and acceptance of neurodiversity and help make his community a place where everyone feels valued, supported, and able to succeed in their own way.

Julia is a junior in high school. She switched from in-person school to online homeschool in the middle of sophomore year. She is autistic and attended SNP-REACH in 2024. Through her position in NNEA's Public Relations subcommittee, she hopes to share the stories of neurodiverse people and help others feel less alone. In her free time, Julia likes to sing, dance, talk with friends and family, read fantasy, practice Japanese, and play with her two puppies.